Cyber Moments By Mike Pfeiffer, CyberFyfe LLC.  Ransomware doesn’t just lock you out of your systems—it threatens to cripple your entire business operation.  This malicious software encrypts your data, holding it hostage until a ransom is paid, often in cryptocurrency.  For small businesses, the impact can be particularly devastating, not just financially but also in terms… Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist I wake up in tangled sheets. My body is damp from the trauma of my dream and I am somewhat disoriented. My anchor in life and sweet husband is gone for a few days and I am not used to sleeping alone. I try to remember my dream… Read More

From Where I Sit By Pat Spilseth, Columnist I’ve been having the worst time coming up with an idea for a column this week…but then I remembered. It’s about time for my favorite inmates to return to Dad’s jail after drinking too much booze. In my imagination I could almost see the drunk guys being led by… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune Minnesota voters can vote early with an absentee ballot at your local elections office, starting this Friday Sept. 20. Pope County offers in-person absentee voting at the elections office, which is the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office in the Pope County Courthouse at 130 E. Minnesota Avenue in… Read More

Admires letter From Brenda Arends, Brooten Theresa Tibbetts, you wrote the letter I wish I had written (Sept. 2 issue).  I admire you so much for it. Hatred is a terrible thing From Bruce Bouwmam Lowry Many people have shown extreme hatred toward Former President Donald Trump.  So much that it interferes with clear thinking. The former… Read More

Stoneage Ramblings By John R. Stone I imagine that supporters of Donald J. Trump and Vice-President Kamala Harris found things they liked about last week’s debate. Trump was, well, Trump with his claims of his personal greatness as the only person on earth who can solve the problems the nation faces with crime, immigration and what… Read More

The Outdoors By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist I am one of those dyed-in-the-wool property rights kind of guys. I would never, and I mean never, set foot on anyone else’s property without permission. I think that any person who trespasses on another person’s property without permission should be held to the highest account of the law…. Read More

Growing Green By Robin Trott, Extension Educator Homeowners have recently reported strange green or brown clusters hanging from their ash trees. These clusters, which look like cockleburs, are caused by a tiny insect called an eriophyid mite. The damage they cause is known as ash staminate flower galls. Galls are abnormal growths that form when plant… Read More

Long Beach City Council By Mike Pfeiffer, Mayor of Long Beach Good day, Long Beach!  We’re thrilled to share some heartening news that underscores our commitment to community safety.  The City of Long Beach MN has recently enhanced public health and safety measures by installing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at three key locations throughout our city. … Read More

View From a Prairie Home by Hege Hernfindahl, Columnist It is early morning, on the cusp of fall, but still summer. Officially fall doesn’t start until Sept. 21, the fall equinox. But the air is crisp this morning and the sun, up now, slants and sends its rays onto the surface of the lake where ripples transform… Read More